US official meets UN-backed prime minister in Tunisia

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met Fayez al-Sarraj, head of Libya’s UN-backed unity government on Saturday in the Tunisian capital.

According to Sarraj’s press office, he met Sullivan, who is in Tunisia as part of his official visits, in the country’s capital, Tunis.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, political development in the country, economic cooperation and investments in petroleum sector, the prime minister’s office statement added.

It also said Sarraj demanded Sullivan support the state’s anti-terror organs by arming them “sufficiently.”

Noting the U.S. support for Libya’s firm stance on counter-terrorism activities in the country, Sullivan emphasized that Washington backs the United Nations Action Plan for a political solution in Libya.

Sarraj, for his part, expressed his gratitude to Sullivan for the U.S support of the unity government and Libya’s fight against terrorism.

Earlier on Saturday, the U.S. deputy secretary general met with Tunisia’s Prime Minister Youssef Chahed.